35. The Miami Heat, without Dwyane Wade.
Wow, let's take the most boring team, one of the most passive home crowds, and subtract the only player of any interest from the equation. The result? Well, maybe you like watching Udonis Haslem shoot 15 footers, and 24-second clock violations. Me, I'll take an exciting night of watching cheddar cheese age via a webcam on the internet. Poe-tay-toe, poe-tah-toe.
34. The Miami Heat, with Dwyane Wade.
Ah, yes. That's much better. Let's watch Wade drive and get fouled again. Free throws are fun!
It's fun the first couple of times, but then it's like watching splice video on loop... sort of like this.
33 The Chicago Bulls.
I know, I know... I'm a Bull-hater, right? How can I justify having them below the Knicks, who are pretty unbearable to watch? Well, for one, they both suck, but at least the Knicks don't play much defense. That means watching a Knick game can at least be fun, if you take the other team into account. The Bulls are pretty awful to watch... Hinrich's awful FG%, Ben Wallace's "moves", Joe Kim Noah's "moves" (almost as bad)... this is a fundamentally unsound offensive team. If not for Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, the Bulls might be less exciting than the Heat. Like the Heat, when I flip through the League Pass, and see the Bulls are on, well... it doesn't matter who they are playing, I'm gonna keep flipping. It's like the Country Music Channel.
32. New Jersey without Vince Carter/Jason Kidd.
Do you remember when Vince Carter was injured in November, and missed 5 games? The Nets lost all five games. And do you remember that they failed to top 75 points in three of those Carter-less games? The Nets offense isn't very pretty to begin with, but take away Carter, and it's completely unwatchable. Unless you like watching Jason Kidd go 4-15 FG, with three threes.
Oh, and take Kidd out the lineup (with a migraine, for example)... and all of a sudden, the Knicks are a better team. Yikes.
An above-average turnout for a Nets game.31. New York Knicks.
What, I held off for as long as I could, okay? There really isn't any more teams I can think of that is more boring to watch than this year's Knick team. Watching Curry get fouled? Watching Richardson miss wide-open threes? A team without a legit point guard or small forward, and a one-dimensional center... let's watch paint dry instead.
30. Houston Rockets without T-Mac.
Yes, they are supposedly doing well without Tracy McGrady. But you know what... watching a team whose offense revolves around pounding the ball in to a 7'5 center, and a bunch of three-point shooters (Head, Battier, Alston) with no mid-range game, and no moves, is like watching Gerry. Or a mid-90's Knick team, but without the urgency of Charles Oakley.
Only the presence of the Argentine Luis Scola, and the modicum of success the McGrady-less Rockets have had, propels them ahead of the Knicks, Bulls and Heat.
29. Cleveland without LeBron.
When LeBron missed a few games earlier this season with a sprained finger (further hinting that we might be looking at "Vince Carter, version 2.0"), the Cavs were exposed for what they really are, aside for LeBron: a team led by a seven foot Lithuanian in his mid 30's, and Drew Gooden. I actually have to wonder what prompted me to rank them this high. I'm gonna go with the potential of hearing Marv Albert say stuff like "Boobie... YES!". That guy is a freak.
28. The Los Angeles Clippers
They're the only Pacific Division team not in the top half of this list. It's hard to find much to get excited about with this year's Clippers. There aren't any young players who excite you, like there was when Shaun Livingston was around (bonus: The potential for seeing a horrific injury that will stain your brain! The old Clippers were like watching Deliverance). This year there's no Elton Brand, reminding you that he is the most underrated player in the league. There isn't even much of the Sam Cassell, big balls dancing, clutch point guardness. Nope, now there is only Chris Kaveman, Corey Maggette (Dwyane Wade without the flash), and the potential for Dan Dickau to play big minutes.
27. Houston with T-Mac.
The Rockets have McGrady back. Man, that's much better. They're still scoring around 75 points a game, though.
26. San Antonio Spurs.
They are good, and they win. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are actually exciting players. In fact, both would be much more enjoyable if they were on another team. Can you imagine Parker on the Suns? Ginobili on the Warriors?
Unfortunately, the most exciting thing about Spurs games is the coyote. Homeboy is nutty funny, though. He's one of the most underrated mascots in the biz:
25. Minnesota Timberwolves.
Honestly, they are a lock for the #1 pick this year. What were you expecting? Their GM traded one of the best 5 players in the league for the roster of the second worst team last year, minus their best player (Pierce). Al Jefferson is good, but he's displaying early signs of "Zach Randolph Disease". He may never be on a team that tops 30 wins.
They oughta just contract the Wolves, and have the Sonics move there. Minnesota fans get something young and fun to root for (Durant and Green), which is what the plan was, and the franchise that McHale ruined gets destroyed once and for all.
24. Detroit Pistons.
I like the Pistons, I do. I think they are the best team in the Eastern Conference. I went to the Pistons-Knicks game, because the Pistons are a good team. But are they fun to watch?
Jason Maxiell is fun. He's like Tyrus Thomas, if Thomas actually knew how to play basketball.
23. Philadelphia 76ers.
Another team I like watching, but honestly... they really are the Clippers of the Eastern Conference. Only inversed. For example, the Clippers have a stud center this year (Kaman); the 76ers have a one-dimensional center (Dalembert). The 76ers have a stud small forward (Iguodala); the Clippers have a one-dimensional SF (Maggette). They both have point guards who would be better on another team. And they both need a PF and/or a SG before they'll be a .500 team again.
22. Seattle Sonics
The most disappointing team to be down this low on this list. Honestly, even bad teams can be exciting, especially if they have the future right there. You don't get more future than Kevin Durant. But the problem is... well, this team is poorly coached, and it shows, especially in the 4th quarter. You wait all year for the Yule Log, thinking it's going to be great, and then... you get bored with it after 5 minutes of watching.
/forced analogy theater
21. Washington Wizards Without Gilbert Arenas
A fine team. Didn't they just beat the Celtics or something last night? But not one that captures your interest for long. It's like Entourage without Jeremy Pivens. It doesn't matter that the show wasn't suppose to be about the agent, because somehow the agent stole the show. Gilbert is like The Fonz, or Urkel, one of those bit characters that ended up become the face of the show. Without that face, the Wizards are... Charles In Charge without Buddy or something.
21. The Milwaukee Bucks
Now we are slow moving towards the more tolerable teams to watch. The Bucks would be much more fun if they had an offense that suited the skill of the players they have. You have a seven-foot center with great passing ability, a seven-foot small forward with range to hit from anywhere, a tough point with a mid range game that's perfect for the pick and roll, a shooting guard who can get to the hoop and hit from anywhere... why are they playing slow, possession by possession basketball? Why not let them loose, push the tempo, and see if they can't outscore the other team if they raise the number of possessions on both sides?
Until they do something like that, though, they are just an effective version of Houston Rockets with a better point guard, and worse defense.
20. Full Strength New Jersey Nets
Well, the potential for a big Vince Carter night always makes them marginally entertaining. Otherwise, I'll rather watch cricket. You know, baseball without the excitement (a.k.a. the home runs), spread over a three day period.
19. The Atlanta Hawks
Josh Smith is ferocious. Too bad this team can't run anything resembling a play. Oh, if only Joe Johnson was just a bit better this year, this team could have been really interesting.
18. Charlotte (the New Atlanta Hawks).
They are playing tough now. No easy victories against the Bobcats anymore. Raymond Felton is developing into a top 10 point guard (it'll happen over the next year, just watch), Gerald Wallace is comfortable at the SF slot, Jason Richardson is becoming the go-to guy at the end of games... they are slowly meshing together, and developing an identity. My bet is this team will be no worse than .500 the rest of the season (unless a major injury occurs).
17. The Indiana Pacers.
It's a running joke on SML, but the Pacers are always the median. They are so mediocre. 16. Utah Jazz.
The Jazz have some snazzy parts - Andrei Kirilenko is attention worthy, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are a bad ass pick and roll combo, and Mehmet Okur, when he's on, is fine to watch. This team has some entertainment to them.
15. Cleveland (with LeBron).
Now, even with LeBron... they aren't a particularly dynamic team. But you will watch them, for the same reason I watch the Nets... because you'll never know if tonight is the night LeBron does something memorable. Like drop 24 in the fourth quarter, just because some chick at half court was talking trash to him. Damn son...that's why you watch the Cavs. Because LeBron might just set it off.
It's like watching golf. It's inertly boring, but if Tiger Woods is involved... you will keep it on, in case you get to see some history being made.
14. Orlando Magic.
Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus.
Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus.
Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus.
Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus.
Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus. Dwight Howard is Black Zeus.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Eh, I can't see I enjoy a jump-shooting team that much, but the Mavs have too much talent to ignore. But the storylines have all gotten old - we know about Dirk, we know about Jet, we even know about Josh Howard's ascension. This team needs some new blood (Brandon Bass ain't enough) to make it interesting to me again.
Oh, and Mark Cuban needs to start doing Mark Cuban-like things again. You know he's behaving, so that next time the Mavs make the Finals the NBA won't send the refs to screw his team with bad calls. It's fine, but it's so fake and boring. I can't wait for Cuban to win a title, just so he can talk sh*t to David Stern when he hands him the trophy.
12. Boston Celtics.
Only to root against them. Just like when he was a T-Wolves last year, Garnett's game is solid, beautiful, awe-inspiring. He's a top-5 player. Pierce is a fun slasher type, and Ray Allen is still one of the top five long range shooters in the game. They are definitely fun.
If only they didn't play for the freaking Boston Celtics.
11. Washington Wizards With Gilbert Arenas
Remember that Christmas Day game a year ago, in which Gilbert dropped like 50 on the Lakers? Or how he promises to drop 50 on anyone who ever looks sideways at him? How ill is that? The injury to Gilbert is a good thing, because he was way beyond overhyped, and it was getting hard to remember what we liked about Gilbert. The answer is not that he blogs (please; just because Gilbert blogs does not mean that we are kindred spirits, and that he may, in fact, be just as nerdy as me... it doesn't work that way); to me it was always that he would come out with these ridiculous lists of people who wronged him, and dedicated himself to revenge, like someone who watched way too many stupid Steven Seagal movies in the 80's.
Actually, he probably is nerdier than me.
10. Atlanta, if it had a point guard.
Purely hypothetical, unfortunately. But perhaps they'll trade Marvin and/or Sheldon Williams for Andre Miller, and we can see what they can really do. Josh Smith would led the league in alley-oop facials thrown down on opponents. That needs to be a stat.
9. The Portland Trailblazers.
Enjoy the surprise of the season. What's incredible is not that they've done it without Greg Oden... that's okay. It's that they've done it without much Jarrett Jack, who was one of the biggest surprises of the season last year. This year he's been a nonfactor. Instead it's been LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, and, of course, Brandon Roy.
It's good clean fun for the whole family. The Blazers are like a Pixar movie. Not Shrek, though... maybe A Bug's Life, or Finding Nemo.
8. Sacramento Kings with Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin is absolutely underrated right now. He'll probably finish in the top-5 in points per game. His style is such that he could drop 40 points on any given night, putting him just short of the Kobe-level of explosiveness. He's like a skinny Bernard King in some respects.
Sidenote: Bernard King had the most explosive scoring ability I've ever seen in my life. I know Jordan was greater, and I know a lot of my thoughts about King are blurred by my youth at the time, and that I'm a Knick fan, but... when you look at what King did in his prime, name another scorer who could shoot from the perimeter with his efficiency?
King was 52% on FG for his career. That was lowered by his post-knee surgeries numbers in Washington, where he barely hit 50%. In his prime, during his Knick days, he was in the 56%, 57% area. That's Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire type numbers, but from a player who could play in the post and hit perimeter shots. He was an absolutely beast, an offensive player like no one ever since. Even Jordan couldn't top 50% for his career. End sidenote.
Kevin Martin is no Bernard King. He's a 44% shooter. But he is something unique, a new mold. The best I can come up with is Allen Iverson, if he was deadly from the outside (but without the relentless driving).
Anyway, he's one of the most exciting players to watch. That makes the Kings (when he's on the team) an exciting team to watch.
Not to mention the potential for Ron Artest to snap at any time. Or bust a decent rap:
7. Toronto Raptors
I'll be honest... they just don't do it for me. Jose Calderon is sick, Chris Bosh is a terror, but they don't excite me like I thought the Phoenix Suns of the North were going to. But it's a work in progress, and I'll bet they'll soon rightfully earn this spot.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Ditto. But they play slightly less defense, making for a more high-paced, up and down, fun game. And Rudy Gay leads the league in blown dunks, making every fast break opportunity even more exciting.
5. New Orleans Hornets
Sort of like the Raptors, but better. Chris Paul is a better point than Calderon; in fact, he's the best point (shhh, don't tell anyone) in the league. David West is actually about the same, if not slightly more efficient, than Chris Bosh. The two of them are good for about 40 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds a night. Tyson Chandler is fun to watch fly up and down the court, and Peja, when healthy (which is about 6% of the time; kids, this is why you shouldn't smoke) is deadly from downtown. This team will be the team no one wants to play in the playoffs, because they can really score when they want to, and because they can cause turnovers, too. 4. Phoenix Suns.
Old, but still fun. Would be more fun if Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion and Steve Nash actually got into a big fight in the locker room. Or on the court.
3. Denver Nuggets
Did you know the Nuggets lead the league in Alley Oops? I can't prove that, but I would bet money that they do. Oh, and they have two of the top four highest scorers in the league (Iverson and Anthony both average over 25 ppg)?
Marcus Camby is fun, grabbing 20 boards whenever he wants. If only Nene and K-Mart were still healthy... then this team would be the most exciting team in the NBA. And a shoe-in for the Conference Finals.
2. Los Angeles Lakers.
Like him or hate him, Kobe Bryant instantly makes a game much more watchable. Will Mamba drop 50 tonight? How about 80? Will he win the game at the buzzer? The most exciting and watchable player in the NBA, period.
1. Golden State Warriors
Tough call. There have been enough games this year that the energy was missing, but I'm going to keep them in the top spot. Monte Ellis, Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson... those are fun, exciting players. Andris Biedrins is on his way to becoming the next Marcus Camby, only replace "smoking weed" with "tanning salons" under "favorite hobby".
You also have Matt Barnes, EuroJordan (Michael Pietrus) and Kelenna Azubuike. And with Brandon Wright and Marco Belinelli on the bench, this team has loads of exciting defense-phobic players capable of running, gunning, slamming and three-point drilling.
Leave a comment
|
12 Comments
Comments
Great comment Bill. I think the Wizards ARE fun to watch without Gilbert, but... the mere presence of Gilbert takes the narrative potential of games to another level. Like Kobe, you have to watch Gilbert - he could drop 50, or he could do something crazy like take a game winning shot from 30 feet away, and swish it while swagging.
For that reason alone, Wizards games with Gilbert are more "viewable", or exciting, than without Gilbert.
I do agree that the team works better as a team without Gilbert. That's also true of the Rockets without T-Mac to an extent (the rest of the team looks better).
That's an amazing stat about the Hawks, and Anthony Johnson. I knew he had been having a good run as their point, but I didn't realize how much of an impact he's had. It really goes to show... if the Hawks are that good just because Anthony Johnson is playing point for them, imagine if they had a bonifide NBA-caliber starting point. A Sam Cassell, Andre Miller, Brandon Roy type. They would probably be as good as the Magic, if not better. They, of all teams, should make a move for Mike Bibby.
My favorite teams to watch randomly: The Hornets, Kings and Hawks.
kevin martin is damn good, but even with him i think the kings are ranked a little too high. and without him (which was a fair chunk of the season to date) they were awful to watch.
and completely unrelated to the topic, but if you're gonna use cricket as a "boring" metaphor, you should probably use test matches (5 days in length) as the example...
/curious to see if 20/20 cricket ever gets traction in the US
apu: I was going to do a post on 20/20 cricket's building popularity. I doubt cricket will ever catch on in the US; it's as unlikely as baseball catching on in India/UK.
But it is fascinating how the old standard style of cricket has quickly been fazed out and replaced by this more popular, fan friendly version. It is the equivalent of baseball or football being replaced in the US (in popularity) by a more streamlined version.
how much ground has soccer actually gained in the US? i'm in australia, so i can't judge, but at least from media coverage it looks like its getting up there in popularity (still not challenging the big 3 obviously), and i would have put good money that it would never achieve that even 5 years ago. so cricket...nah, you're right, i don't think it has a chance either (the sheer size of the grounds needed to play makes grass-roots popularity difficult, which is a big driving force).
its interesting that you mention 20/20 replacing older forms of the game - i've heard a number of older members of the cricketing establishment talking about how 20/20 should do nothing more than provide a revenue stream to keep test cricket alive. and this is being said in a country with the best test team in the world currently.
Long live the Baron! Outside of Kobe and Lebron, he is my favorite player to watch right now in the NBA.
G-state is definately the best team to watch. Whether they are lighting up the scoreboard or Nelly is getting lit up in a postgame news conference, they are the gold standard for fun right now in the NBA.
Apu: Soccer has gained a bit in the US, but it's not as much as believed. Even in the 70's, international soccer was pretty popular in the US, but domestic soccer was not. That pretty much remains the case, and in fact, you are more likely to see higher ratings for a Univision-televised game from Argentina or Mexico, or a FSN televised Premiership game, than you are for a ESPN MLS game.
As for 20/20 cricket: yep, exactly. That's very interesting.
Ben: looks like we agree on this one!
great list SML, I think I wouldn't have changed a thing...ok, maybe Portland ahead of Memphis
"He's one of the most underrated mascots in the biz"
I almost fell off my chair. And the video is money. thanks
I like the structure of the posts. Basic and straight to the point. I bet you are able to even do better. Write a lengthy article and show us what you are able to do. I have no doubt you'll create even better information. I have subscribed to a lot of blogs but this one is really a keeper!
People in every country get the loan in different banks, because that is fast and easy.
http://www.brandshoeshopping.com/ cheap air jordan shox
We all want to be happy, and often we strive for that new car, bigger house, or promotion at work in order to find the elusive goal of a happy and satisfied life. Not even as I shook womens ugg boots and trembled uncontrollably in the trenches, did I forget your ugg boots face. I would sit huddled into the wet mud, terrified, as the ugg australia hails of bullets and mortars crashed down around me. I would clutch my uggs bailey button rifle tightly to my heart, and think again of that very first day we met. I would cry out in bailey button boots fear, as the noise of war beat down around me. But, as I thought ugg boots in uk of you and saw you smiling back at me, everything ugg boots usa around me would be become silent, and I would be with you again for a few precious official ugg boots moments, far from the death and destruction. It would not be ugg classic cardy until I opened my eyes once again, that I would see and hear the carnage of the war around me.I cannot tell you ugg classic cardy boots how strong my love for you was back then, when I returned to you on leave in the September, feeling uggs classic cardy battered, bruised and fragile. We held each other so tight I thought ugg uk we would burst. I asked you to marry me the very same uggs day and I whooped with joy when you looked deep into my ugg boots shop eyes and said "yes" to being my bride. LIJ http://www.uggsbailey.com/Womens-UGG-Bailey-Button-Triplet-1873.html
I think the Wizards without Gilbert are much more fun to watch (And they have more fun playing because they know theyll be inolved in the offense.)... their ball movement is so much better and they dont have as many turnovers plus theyre much better defensively.
Caron Butler is breaking out into a superstar this year. He is a great young player/leader/franchise player, and his allaround game is just sick. The team forms to his identity and follows his lead (Toughness, 100% effort, never-say-die attitude, unselfishness on offense, hard-nosed defense)...... 20-11 since that 0-5 start.
Joe Johnson IS a bit better this year now that he's out of that 3 week long slump (which was BRUTAL). And dont look now but since they got Anthony Johnson stabilizing their point their pace has picked up and theyve went 11-2 in games that he's played at least 27 minutes in (With Acie Law filling as backup point 20 minutes a night doint a good job.)..... JJ has really stepped up as a leader as well, and he is also a definite allstar much like Butler, both absolute studs as young leaders/franchise players. DAMN THE HAWKS ARE TALENTED, GOOD YOuNG TEAM, VERY FUN TO WATCH.
Brandon Roy obviously is also an absolute stud of a young leader/franchise player, and the Blazers are so fun to watch and such a good young team this year. They are very fun to watch too.(Roy should also be an allstar by the way).
The Wizards, Hawks and Blazers are my 3 favorite teams to watch, and Im a celtics fan.